Building construction and method

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a building having a multi-story structural frame that is erected on the building site, but has a plurality of prefabricated occupancy units in at least most of the floors thereof. To this end the structure has one or more elongated wings terminating at one end in an access section in which elevator and stairs may be located, and on each floor in this section service facilities, laundry facilities, etc., are positioned. Each such floor of the elongated frame provides two parallel corridors into which occupancy units are inserted in end-to-end relation from the end remote from the access area, and there is space defining a hallway between the corridors. The exterior curtain walls of the occupancy units comprise exterior walls of the finished building and curtain walls of the occupancy units confronting the hallway provide inside walls of the hallway. Each occupancy unit preferably comprises two longitudinally confronting sections, the combined width of which is less than the combined width of the corridor so that the sections of the units may be first entered into the end of a corridor and moved therealong toward the access area, and then moved transversely to its final position in the corridor, anchored in place, and floor and ceiling panels finally inserted between each two confronting sections. The prefabricated occupancy unit sections can be moved from the place of fabrication to the building site on trailers which are lifted to the floor level where the sections are to be placed, and moved endwise from the trailer into the corridor.

Unite States Patent Lorenzi et al.

[ July 31, 1973 1 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD [75] Inventors: Silvio J. Lorenzi, Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Robert M. Dodds, Washington, D.C.; Edward F. Gunnill, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 767,896, Sept. 12, 1968, abandoned.

Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Attorney-Parmelee, Utzler & Welsh [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed a building having a multi-story structural frame that is erected on the building site, but has a plurality of prefabricated occupancy units in at least most of the floors thereof. To this end the structure has one or more elongated wings terminating at one end in an access section in which elevator and stairs may be located, and on each floor in this section service facilities, laundry facilities, etc., are positioned. Each such floor of the elongated frame provides two parallel cor- [52] US. Cl 52/79, 52/236, 52/745 ridors into which occupancy units are inserted in [51] Int. Cl. E04h l/l2, E04h 9/06 to end relation from the end remote from the access [58] Field of Search 52/64, 79, 133, 136, area, and there is Space defining a hallway between the 52,234 745 corridors. The exterior curtain walls of the occupancy units comprise exterior walls of the finished building [56] References C'ted and curtain walls of the occupancy units confronting UNITED STATES PATENTS the hallway provide inside walls of the hallway. Each 1,156,693 10/1915 Ko er 52/79 occupancy unit preferably comprises two longitudi- 2,795,014 6/1957 Kelly 52/79 nally confronting sections, the combined width of ,580 0/ 9 mee 2 which is less than the combined width of the corridor 3,302,340 2/1967 Chertlmf t 52/236 so that the sections of the units may be first entered 2'499498 3/1950 Hammond 52/67 into the end of a corridor and moved therealong toward l643489 9/1927 l 52/236 the access area, and then moved transversely to its final 1,760,331 5/1930 White 52/725 2,691,29] 10/1954 Hendersom 52/79 posltion n the corridor, anchored in place, and floor 3,331,170 7/1967 Lowe alum 52/79 and ceiling panels finally inserted between each two 3,388,512 6/1968 Newman 52/64 conffommg sectlons- The Prefabrlcated Occupancy unit sections can be moved from the place of fabrica- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS tion to the building site on trailers which are lifted to 75,926 7/1961 France 52/79 h fl level where the Sections are to be placed, and 919598 12/1946 France 52/236 moved endwise from the trailer into the corridor. 1,158,924 2/1958 France 52/79 8 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures .2 m '1 1,, {P A in F I I l l l l q a i m 50 1:4 10 l 3'0 /0 a 2 5o BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND METIIO CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part of application S.N. 767 896,filed Sept. 12, 1968, which application is now abandoned.

This invention relates to a multi-story, multioccupancy building and methodof making same in which a structural framework iserected on the site, and prefabricated occupancy units are then positioned in the structural frame, and more particularly to a building of this type designed to provide greater economy of construction and a wider floor plan flexibility than structures of the type heretofore suggested for this purpose, and this application is a continuation-in-part of our application Ser. No. 767,896, filed Sept. 12, 1968.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,499,498 discloses the broad concept of a multi-story structural building with occupancy units that can be inserted into or removed from individual cells in the structure, but which is unsuited for many reasons for economical, practical, moderate or low cost dwelling or office purposes.

Among many considerations to be given to the design of a structural steel building is the fact that as the length of structural beams increases, their weight and section must increase, and so also must the weight and section of the vertical columns increase so that there are definite practical limitations beyond which the length of spans between columns cannot be justified. The size and disposition of occupancy units in a structure such as disclosed in said U.S. Pat. No. 2,499,498 is controlled entirely by the spacing between columns, because these units are slid in a direction transverse to the length of the building into individual cells or compartments, much like drawers slide into and out of a dresser, even to the extent of one unit being interchangeable with another. All occupancy units must therefore be one size. Another limitation in prior structures of this type is the fact that they cannot be built close to the property line since there must be a clearance around all sides of the building wide enough to provide for bringing the occupancy units into position alongside the building and raising them to the cell into which they are set, requiring considerably more vacant ground space at each side of the building than the building itself can occupy. There must be clearance along each side of the building greater than half the width of the building to elevate and position the occupancy units in their respective cells. These are some of the deficiencies of construction in structures heretofore designed. The normal flexibility and advantages of on-site construction are lost in order to use a standard prefabricated shape and size of rooms. Variation in size and arrangement of the occupancy units is sacrificed and the economical use of steel is lost simply to accommodate standardized interchangeable occupancy units.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION This invention provides a building construction and method which combines the advantage and benefit of prefabricating occupancy units while retaining much of the desired flexibility with respect to size and shape of the building units, and wherein the spacing of columns and the length of beam spans can follow conventional practice, and the spacing of columns is no factor in determining the length of a prefabricated unit or the posi- I side columns, these are in a row parallel with the two 2 tioning of the prefabricated units lengthwise of the structure.

According to this invention there is an elongated multi-storied structural framework with spaced outside vertical columns andusually inside columns and a system of longitudinal and transverse beams at each floor level extending from one column to the next in a more or less conventional manner of constructing the skeleton of a structural steel building. The columns are at spaced intervals along the sides of the framework in transverse alignement so that the transverse beams are at right angles to the longitudinal ones. If there are inrows of columns along the outside, and the inside ones are in transverse alignment cross-wise of the building with the outside ones.

At one end of the elongated frame there is a frame structure which in the finished building will be a common access section for all floors, and it will provide for elevators, laundry facilities, stairs, and such other facilities as will be available to all of the tenants of each floor. The end of the framework remote from the access station is open-ended. The structure so formed provides on most floors, at least one, and preferably two lengthwise extending corridors or guideways into which prefabricated occupancy units may be inserted from the open end of the framework, moved endwise along the corridor, forming in the corridor a continuous line or row of prefabricated occupancy units extending from the access section to the open end of the corridor. Exposed side walls of these occupancy units form most of the exterior walls of the building, while longitudinally extending interior sidewalls form the walls of a hallway leading from the access section to all of the occupancy units on the floor.

While each prefabricated occupancy unit may be a unitary four-sided enclosure, it is preferred that each occupancy unit be comprised of two confronting longitudinally elongated sections, the combined width of which is less than the width of the narrowest corridor so that a single section may be moved longitudinally along a corridor, then moved laterally into its final position, after which a complementary section may be then slid into confronting relation with the first and moved sideways away from the first. Thereafter separate ceiling, floor and end wall panels are inserted in the floor, ceiling and end wall spaces between the two sections. Proceeding in this way, prefabricated units may be manufactured in the widest size permissible, say twelve feet in width, for transportation from a place of manufacture to the building site, and provide an occupancy unit of twice twelve feet in width plus the width of the inserted panels.

Of primary importance is the fact that the occupancy units are inserted into the corridor endwise and moved along the corridor to the final position in which they are secured so that different length units can be located at different locations along the corridors so long as the total length of all of them equals the length of the corridor, making a wide variation of floor plans from floor to floor possible, combining flexibility oc occupancy unit with standardized structural framing.

Other improvements and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional plan view of one form of building contemplated by this invention;

FIG. 1A is a detailed sectional plan view on a larger scale showing a typical occupancy unit of the building of FIG. I, but with interior partition walls of the unit being illustrated;

FlG. 2 is a partial sectional elevation on a still larger scale in the plane of line IIII of FIG. 1 with the structural elements being shown in more detail;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the joining of a prefabricated unit to the building framework, the view showing the lower portionof one unit above the floor level and the top portion of another unit on the floor below;

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view showing a portion of a prefabricated unit adjacent an exterior column of the building;

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view illustrating a ceiling panel joint in a prefabricated occupancy unit; FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but shows an alternate form of ceiling joint;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating in greater detail a form of anchoring means used to secure units to the building framework;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing one form of floor structure contemplated by this invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing an alternate way to that shown in FIG. 7 of anchoring a prefabricated'occupancy unit to the building framework;

FIG. 10 is a partial vertical sectional view showing in detail a joint between a hall ceiling and the vertical and ceiling wall of the prefabricated unit;

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the building framework showing the relation between vertical columns and longitudinal and transverse beams in a single transverse area of the floor of the framework;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a tractor-trailer truck used to transport and raise the prefabricated units;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the connection between the building framework and the trailer in position for transferring a building unit from the trailer onto one floor level to which the trailer has been raised;

FIG. 14 is a partial view in vertical section showing the engagement between the trailer lifting member and the trailer;

FIG. 15 is a schematic rear elevational view of the trailer with a prefabricated unit supported thereon;

FIG. 16 is an end view similar to FIG. 14, but showing the trailer after it has been unloaded, and with its hinged side panels in retracted position;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view in longitudinal vertical section of one form of truck bed contemplated by this invention, wherein the bed is also a mold in which a floor slab is cast; and

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the truck bed illustrated in FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in detail, and with reference to FIG. 1 which shows a typical overallplan, the building selected for purposes of illustration has two elongated sections or wings 2 which are in line, and another elongated section 4 at right angles to the first two. (All of the sections terminate at one end and are joined to a common access section or core 6). Each section or wing contains a number of prefabricated units 10. The term unit as herein used means an occupancy unit, that is, an integrated apartment or. suite of office rooms. The access section contains elevators 12, a stairway 14, and such other facilities as are necessary or desirable for all tenants on each floor of the building. In the form shown, secondary access areas 6' having stairways are provided at the opposite end of each wing 2 and at the free end of wing 4. For purposes of clarity of expression herein, such an appended access area 6', will be considered as being disposed within the building framework, although technically it may be a structure appended to the building subsequent to insertion of the units.

Main halls l6, 18 are disposed longitudinally substantially centrally within each of the wings 2 and 4 respectively. These halls l6, l8 permit travelbetween the various units 10 and also between the units 10 and the access area 6.

While FIG. I indicates each unit 10 as being a single box-like enclosure, as such it might be, each unit is preferably comprised of two longitudinally extending confronting sections 104 and 101;, as best seen in FIGS. 1A and 2.

As is shown in FIG. 2, each unit 10 has a floor, a ceiling and peripheral walls. One longitudinal peripheral wall serves as an exterior wall 30 of the building and the other longitudinal peripheral wall 32 serves as an interior main hall-defming wall. With the exception of the units 10 disposed at the ends of the buildings, the transverse peripheral walls serve as divider walls 34 which abut similar divider walls 34 of the adjacent units 10 or the access area 6 (FIGS. 1 and 1A). In the end units 10, one side peripheral wall and one end peripheral wall serve as exterior walls 30 for the building.

As above stated, and as shown in FIG. 1A, each unit 10 is in two parallel sections 104 and 10b and may be provided with suitable interior partition walls 36, which subdivide the unit 10 in the desired fashion. The form of building selected for purposes of illustration, is an apartment building, and the units have been divided accordingly. The access section 6 in addition to the facilities mentioned also maybe provided with a laundry room 40 and an incinerator or refuse disposal room 42.

. The building having one or more elongated structures, such as each of the wings 2 and 4 together with a portion providing for the access section comprises a multi-story structural framework. Each or most of the stories of each such elongated structure provide an elongated open floor space providing one and preferably two parallel quideways or corridors and a hall extending from the access area 6 at one end to the opposite open end of the structure. When the structural framework is completed, the prefabricated unit sections are lifted at the open end of the structure into alignment horizontally and vertically with one of said corridors at a selected floor, moved along the guideway toward the access area, and anchored in position. The first unit section is moved along the corridor until it is at the end nearest the access section, and others are then placed one after another in sequence. Alternatively, a row of outside sections may be sequentially placed along one side of the corridor, and then a row of complementary inside sections. Whether the units are single box-like structures or comprised of longitudinally confronting sections, each unit after the first abuts the preceding one and their combined length is equal to the length of the building frame from the access section to the open end.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, it is seen that the structural framework is established through joinder of longitudinal beams 46, transverse beams 48 and vertical support columns 50 and 50a, 50 designating exterior columns, and 50a the interior columns. The upper surface of beams 46, 48 at each floor level are substantially coplanar. This framework comprising a system of structural members at each floor level is of generally conventional type of construction with sections designed to provide the required load-bearing capacity. It should be noted that in FIG. 11, as in FIG. 2, the longitudinal beams 46 along the outer columns 50 are against the inner surfaces of these columns, and that there are other longitudinal beams 46 (see FIG. 2) against the left face of interior columns 50a. It should also be noted that the cross beams 48 extend from the columns 50 to the interior columns 50a. In FIG. 11 cross beams 48 to the right of columns 50a are longer than those at the left to support the main hall 16 or 18 as the case may be. The shorter beams 48 to the left of the columns 50a along with beams 46 and the vertical columns provide one corridor 52 for a single row of occupancy units, while the longer cross beams 48 to the right of column 50a along with the other elements of the structure provide a second corridor 52 for another row of occupancy units and also the main hall 16 or 18, as the case may be.

It will be seen that each floor provides two corridors 52, one wider than the other, with each corridor having that end which is opposite the end at the access area open to receive the occupancy units. The occupancy units are all of substantially equal width, but may be of difierent lengths. In FIG. 1, apartment A in first elongated section 2 is a one-bedroom apartment, while apartment B is a two-bedroom apartment, and apartment C is a three-bedroom apartment.

As is shown in FIG. 2, each unit 10, which is positioned within guideway 52, has an exterior side wall 30, a main hall defining sidewall 32, a floor 60 and a ceiling 62. Partition walls 36 divide the interior of the unit 10 into the desired area or room sizes. The floor 60 of the prefabricated unit 10 consists of a plywood member 64 and is supported on and secured to an underlying steel deck 66. The steel deck 66 is secured to the building framework prior to placing the unit 10 in the anchoring position, and provides a smooth surface over which the units may be moved. Supplemental support is provided under partition walls 36 by beams 70. With the unit 10 secured in this position, the ceiling 62 is spaced below the overlying beams 46, 48, 70 of the floor above, and independent thereof.

FIGS. 3 and 7 show a typical arrangement for anchoring a unit or unit section in the framework. This anchoring means is disposed within the walls of the unit 10, usually the peripheral walls. As shown in FIG. 7, a

tubular internally threaded sleeve or stud 74 is recessed within the steel deck 66 and extends level with the top of steel deck 66 downwardly below the steel deck. Each wall has spaced oppositely faced panels connected at the bottom to a base member 78 and has holes therethrough which register with these studs. A washer 80 is placed on the upper surface of base 78 and bolt 82 is passed downwardly through washer 80 and screwed into stud 74. A removable cover or base board, as indicated in FIG. 7, affords access for inserting and tightening the bolt and afterwards concealing it. By securing each unit 10 in its desired position in this fashion, the prefabricated unit 10 is permanently secured to the building framework and becomes an integral part of the structure.

FIG. 2 clearly shows that the main hallway 16 is provided between the side walls 32 of the two spaced rows of units 10. The floor of this hall is comprised of plywood panels supported on the steel deck 66. The hall ceiling is comprised of panels 92 supported by the upper portions of the walls 32. FIG. 10 shows that the ceiling 62 'of each unit is substantially at the same elevation as hall ceiling 92 and both are secured to the interior wall 32 of a unit. Wall 32, which is similar to or identical with wall 76 as previously described (FIG. 7) has spaced panels with sound-deadening or heatinsulating material therebetween and outer surfaces of these wall panels have a covering 94 which may be plaster, dry wall, paneling or other finish. A channelshaped cap plate 96 is disposed on the upper extremity of wall 32 and has downwardly extending flanges 98 disposed inwardly of finished surfaces 94. The end 100 of ceiling 62 forming part of the prefabricated section is supported on cap plate 96 and the finished surface 102 of ceiling 62 merges with finished surface 94 to provide a uniform appearance. End 106 of the ceiling panel 92 of the main hallway also is supported on cap plate 96. Finished surface 108 of ceiling 92 terminates adjacent finished surface 94 of wall 32 and a seal 110 is providedQA fire stop 112 is provided between ceiling 62 and beam 46, and as usual in structural steel buildings, the beam is coated with a fireproofing material 114.

In the preferred form illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2, the unit 10 as previously mentioned is comprised of two prefabricated sections 10a, 10b which are positioned in confronting spaced relationship with respect to each other. In units so constructed, the enclosed space designated generally as has three floor portions 121a for section 10a, 121b for the unit hall area between sections 10a and 10b, and l2lc for section 10b (see FIG. 2).

There is a ceiling over the space separating the confronting section 10a and 10b, and it comprises a panel or panels secured in the fashion shown in FIG. 6. To this end a support member 126 is secured to the upper portion of each wall 36. The edges of the ceiling panel 124 are supported thereon. Another way of securing the ceiling 124 is shown in FIG. 5. In this form a screw is passed through support member 126 and into ceiling 124. The screw 130 also passes through clip member 134 on which is secured cover member 132.

It will be noted that all ceilings, both those forming a part of a prefabricated section or over a main hallway or inside hallway are spaced below the structural framework of the next-higher floor. This is important to provide clearance for inserting the ceiling panels over the hallways and for reducing sound transmission. It also provides space for concealed wiring and plumbing.

By way of a more complete explanation of the construction as shown particularly in FIGS. 1A and 2, let it be supposed that the maximum load width which can be hauled from a fabricating plant over a roadway is 12 feet, but it may perhaps vary in length between say 25 and 40 or more feet. If the units 10 were of one-piece construction, this would mean that the row of apartments or suites of rooms in one corridor would be much like a row of house trailers, 12 feet wide and say 35 feet long. Then for each apartment to have outside windows, there could not be more than two such rows of narrow units and a hallway along any floor in any total floor area of any wing. This would be quite cramped and would not represent the most effective use of structural steel.

If it is assumed, however, that the maximum span of horizontal beams or girders in the structural frame is economically about 34 feet, then the center-to-center spacing of the vertical outside columns 50 and also of the inside columns 50a is 33 feet along the length of the elongated structure in the distance between the access area and the other end of the building or building wing. If the main hall 16 in wing 2, or 18 in wing 4 is 6 feet wide, there can be a full 27 feet on each side of the hall for units 10. (Distances are figured center-to-center so that there is in the assumed instance 6 inches at each side of a unit that takes care of the dimensions of the columns and their covering from the center outwardly). Consequently in the instance here assumed, the distance transversely of the wing between inner columns 50a and outer columns 50 at the left of column 50a in FIG. 2 would be 27 feet and the distance from the right of columns 500 to the outer columns (see FIG. 11) would be 27 feet plus 6 feet for hall 16, or a total of 33 feet, thus enabling columns and beams to be the optimum dimensions for the frame of the building.

Assuming again that a unit comprises sections 10a and 10b, a 12-foot wide section 10a may first be elevated to the open end of a corridor 52 at the floor level where it is to be placed, and then moved along in the area or corridor 52 either to the access area or against the end of a previously placed unit, and when this longitudinal movement has been accomplished, the section is then moved laterally against the inner faces of outer vertical columns 50. Then a complementary 12-foot wide section 10b is raised to the same floor level and pulled along the area 52 and brought to position confronting section la, and it, too, is then moved laterally away from the unit a to a position where its long side wall 32 becomes a side wall of the main hall 16 or 18. In either case, with two confronting 12-foot sections in a minimum space 27 feet wide, there is provided a space 3 feet wide between the two sections to form the inside or private hall as distinguished from the common main hall 16 or 18 for the use of all apartments. This 3-foot extra space is important because it gives adequate clearance to maneuver the sections into place, and after they are in place, the ceiling slab 124 and floor panel 12lb (FIG. 1A) are put into place. Instead of the building being limited to prefabricated occupancy units 12 feet wide, it may, and preferably is made with occupancy units each formed of two prefabricated confronting sections 12 feet wide and of any practical length, and no beam or column of an uneconomical dimension is required.

By assuming specific illustrative dimensions for the units, it is believed the construction herein described and its advantages are more easily understood.

An alternate form of unit construction and anchoring means is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this form, each unit 10 or unit section is provided with a concrete slab floor which s supported upon beams 46, 48 and supplemental beams 70. Anchoring of the units 10 to the building framework may be effected through elongated metal inserts 142 set into and secured within recesses in the underside of floor 140. The recesses in the form shown are disposed toward the transverse extremities of the beams. Each metal insert 142 is anchored to beams 46, 48 by suitable means such as welds 146. After the welding has been completed, thereby securing the unit to the building structure, the usual layer of fireproofing material 148 may be applied to the beams 46, 48 by known means such as by spraying. The arrangement and construction of the units is otherwise as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it is seen that the building has a row of vertical support columns 50 positioned exteriorly of and adjacent the longitudinal exterior walls 30 of the building. A longitudinal row of vertical columns 50a is also provided generally toward the transverse center of each elongated section 2, 4. As shown in FIG. 1, these columns 50a will be positioned within the main halls 16, 18 and may be covered to harmonize with the side walls of the hall. Following common practice in structural steel building where structural sections usually intersect at right angles, the exterior columns 50 at opposite sides of the building and the interior columns 50 are in transverse alignment.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 details of the external vertical column 50 and adjacent construction are shown. Each column 50 with its coating of thermal insulation 150 may be enclosed in a sheet metal envelope 152 to provide protection for the column 50 and a pleasing external appearance for the building, and give continuity of design to the exterior of the completed building. Suitable means, such as angles 154, which are secured to envelope 152 and exterior wall 30 of unit are provided to exclude foreign matter between the envelope 152 and exterior wall 30.

As is shown in FIG. 3, there is a space between the bottom of the exterior wall 30 of the upper unit 10 and the top of exterior wall 30 of the underlying unit 10. In order to provide a continuous exterior building surface,

cover plates 160, which are secured at its upper andlower edges to the respective exterior walls 30 of the units by fastners 162, are provided. To prevent undesired entry of moisture and foreign matter into any of its joints caulking 164 is used.

If desired, provision may be made for water, sewage, electric, gas, heating, air conditioning and other utilities and requirements of the particular units. The prefabricated units 10 may be provided with the desired water, electric and sewage lines during prefabrication of the sections, and such lines may be connected with trunk lines secured to the building framework after the units 10 have been anchored in place. In this way, the amount of required on-site labor is reduced.

Turning now to the apparatus employed in the handling of the prefabricated units 10 or unit sections, reference is made to FIGS. 12 through 18. FIG. 15 shows in outline a unit 10 or preferably a section of a unit supported on a trailer 170, as viewed from the rear of the trailer. Each unit, or complementary unit section, will generally calssify it under highway regulations as an over size load so that the trailer 170 has a bed of adjustable width. This is accomplished by providing side portions 172 for the truck bed 174. These portions 172 are adapted to swing upwardly and inwardly from an extended load-carrying position to retracted position over the bed 174 when the trailer is not carrying a unit or unit section. This serves to reduce the width of truck bed 174 by the width of hinged side members 172 so that an empty trailer returning to pick up another load may be reduced to a normally allowable transverse width.

FIG. 12 illustrates the trailer 170 engaged with a tractor 176, supporting a unit 10 or unit section as 10a or 10b. It is positioned adjacent an open end 178 of the elongated building framework. The rear of the trailer 170 is then adjacent the end plane 180 of the building. A spreader frame 186, which is adapted to be secured to the trailer 170, has an eye 188 through which a hook 190 secured to a cable 192 may pass. By winding the cable on a hoist means 202 (shown schematically) such as a motor-driven winch, with the spreader frame 186 secured to the trailer 170 (in a manner to be described below) the trailer 170 bearing a unit 10 or unit section may be raised to a position opposite an open space 184 with the floor of the section about level with the floor level 182, and in a position aligned with a guideway or corridor 52.

The prefabricated unit section is releaseably clamped to the trailer frame as indicated by clamping members such as those indicated at 200 (FIG. 14), and these secure the beams 198 of a prefabricated unit to the trailer chassis 196. As shown in the upper portion of FIG. 12, the trailer 170 having been disengaged from tractor 176, may then be raised by means of hoist 202 to a selected position. In the case of a building framework 178 employing a steel deck 66, the unit floor 60 is raised to an elevation X aligned with the top of the deck 66 (see FIG. 13). In the case of unit 10 or section having a concrete floor 140, the floor 140 is raised to an elevation Y aligned with he top of the support beams 46, 48, 70.

Locking or holding means 210 may be provided for stabilizing the trailer 170 when it has been raised to the desired level. As shown in FIG. 13, the holding means may consist of a horizontally disposed bar 212 having a downwardly extending free end or prong 214 which is hooked over a U-shaped member or bail 216 secured to cross beam 48. The engagement of bar 212 with U- shaped member 216 prevents free swinging or swaying of the load, and part of the weight of the load is temporarily transferred from the winch and cable to the building framework.

Once the holding means 210 has been engaged, the prefabricated section is pulled endwise from the truck bed into corridor 52 in which it is to be positioned. Means such as a winch 222 and a cable 224 may be employed to so move the prefabricated unit from the truck bed and along the corridor. This invention contemplates the sequential longitudinal introduction of several units 10 in a row within a corridor 52 so that after being unloaded the trailer bed 170 is lowered to the ground, reengaged with tractor 176 and moved away and another trailer with a unit 10 or section of a unit is moved into unloading position and the placement of the succeeding section repeated in the same manner.

In some instances wherein use of unit sections having a concrete slab floor is contemplated, it may be desirable to ship the wall and ceiling portions of the units 10 to the construction site and cast the concrete slab at the site. This invention provides means for accomplishing this objective should this be desired. As is shown schematically in FIGS. 17 and 18, this may be readily accomplished by detachably securing forms 230 on truck bed 174. Usually a suitable separation sheet 232 may be interposed between truck bed 174 and forms 230. During hardening of the concrete slab or subsequent thereto, the walls and ceiling portions may be secured thereto in order to provide at the building site a complete unit or unit section, as the case may be, on the truck bed 174, thereby reducing the weight to be hauled from the fabricating plant to the building, but still enabling most of skilled labor to perform its work in a factory.

It will be appreciated that the building construction of this invention provides the benefits of use of prefabricated building units or prefabricated sectional units coupled with flexibility of on-site construction, giving the architect or builder wide leeway in the size and interior arrangement of units with a structural frame of a simple, generally standard conventional type of structural steel construction. This is accomplished by providing elongated unit-receiving corridors or guideways within the building framework adapted to sequentially receive from an open end prefabricated units preferably comprised of complementary sections, and establishing a row of units through longitudinal movement of each unit within the guideway to its ultimate location in the manner previously explained. Apparatus is provided for transporting the prefabricated structure to the construction site, raising it to a position aligned vertically and transversely with one end of a unit-receiving corridor, and moving it longitudinally within the corridor to the final position where it is then anchored.

The invention provides a unique combination and method where a multi-story structural framework is erected on the site from standard structural sections with beams and columns of optimum sizes and weights, but instead of conventional procedures of elevating blocks, bricks, concrete and other materials to the respective floors, factory-prefabricated sections and separate floor and ceiling panels as required are transported from the factory to the framework, raised to the required floor level, and moved endwise along one of two corridors provided at each floor level and there assembled into parallel rows of completed occupancy units, all of which on each floor open into a common main hallway leading to the access area. Especial economy is obtained both in the structural framing of the elongated building structure and in ultimate useable space in each occupancy unit by making each unit in two longitudinally separated sections, the combined width of which is less than the full minimum width of the guideway or corridor 52, singly moving the complementary sections endwise of theelongated frame to their final positions, then moving them laterally into spaced relation to provide an internal hallway with fillin floor, ceiling and end wall panels. The inserted end wall panels match the end wall structure of the sections and may be set into upright position between the floor and ceiling panels against stops, much the way a door is fitted into the door frame.

Since the occupancy units are inserted into the end of the elongated framework, only one end of the framework where there is only a single wing needs to front on the street to enable all units to be brought to position at the end, enabling the building to be erected without any or much space being required along the sides of the building so that effective use of the land may be made without encroaching on neighboring property. Inserting the units endwise into the guideways also enables occupancy units to be of different lengths in the same guideway, since the length of a unit is not determined by the center-to-center space of the exterior columns, as is the case with structures heretofore suggested where the units are inserted sideways into cells arranged along the sides of the framework.

So that each row of units may have exterior walls that are also outside curtain walls of the finished building, and each unit have interior peripheral walls forming a boundary of, and opening into, a main hallway, the building has only two rows of occupancy units on each floor level, and in this respect it is similar to the floor arrangements commonly provided in apartment and office buildings where all apartments or suites have outside windows.

Numerous other advantages will become apparent to architects and builders.

We claim:

1. In a building structure comprising a multi-story framework having a system of longitudinally extending beams and cross-beams at each floor level supported on two spaced parallel rows of vertical exterior columns, one at each side of the building and a single row of interior columns parallel with the rows of exterior columns and spaced closer to one outside row of columns at one side of the building than the other forming at each side of the row of interior columns an unobstructed elongated corridor, the two corridors being parallel with one wider and one being narrower by reason of the row of interior columns being closer to the row of outer columns on one side of the structure than it is to the other, the structure having an access area at one end at the level of each floor and each corridor at the other end being open the full width of the corridor, the invention comprising:

a. a row of composite occupancy units in each corridor in abutting end-to-end relation, the units in one corridor being parallel with those in the other corridor on the same floor,

b. each composite occupancy unit being comprised of two separate complementary prefabricated sections that extend longitudinally of the corridor in which they are positioned in confronting relation, each of which is narrower in a direction transversely of the length of the corridor than the width of the corridor into which it is positioned,

c. one section of each unit having a longitudinal peripheral wall that faces toward the columns of an exterior row of columns and forms a portion of the exterior side wall of the building and the complementary section having a longitudinal peripheral wall facing toward the interior row of columns, the units in the narrower corridor being against said row of interior columns and those in the wider corridor being spaced from the interior row of columns, with the two rows of occupancy units so arranged providing a main hall between them extending from the access area to the ends of the corridors remote from the access unit, the arrangement being such that each composite occupancy unit may be completed in situ by separately introducing its two prefabricated sections into the open end of the corridor and being separately moved along the corridor and finally brought to confronting permanent position in the row, whereby each section may be of a length and width to be hauled by truck over a highway from a place of fabrication, and the width of the unit transversely of the corridor will at least be as great as the combined width of the two sections.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 in which each section of a confronting pair comprising an occupancy unit has a floor and a ceiling snd each is of a width less than half the minimum width of the narrower corridor and they are positioned in their corridor in confronting spaced relation, and wherein there is a separate ceiling panel supported by the two sections over the space separating them and there is a floor panel in the space between the floors of the confronting sections flush with the floors of the confronting sections.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 in which each occupancy is of the same width as every other such unit and this width is the full width of the narrower corridor.

4. The invention defined in claim 2 in which some occupancy units are longer than others but the combined lengths of all occupancy units is equal to the length of the corridor from the access area to the open end of the corridor.

5. The invention defined in claim 1 in which each section of a confronting pair of occupancy units has a floor and a ceiling and each is of a width less than half the minimum width of the narrower corridor and they are positioned in their corridor in confronting spaced relation, and wherein there is a separate ceiling panel supported by the two sections over the space separating them and there is a floor panel in the space between the floors of the confronting sections flushwith the floors of the confronting sections, the occupancy units being of a height such that there is a clearance between the tops of the units and the system of beams and cross beams for supporting the floor above.

6. The invention defined in claim 5 in which there are floor panels in the main hall between the occupancy units in the two corridors and there are ceiling panels over the main hall supported by the confronting occupancy units at each side of the said main hall, the lastnamed ceiling panels being also at a level below the system of beams and cross beams for the floor above.

7. In the construction a multi-story multi-occupancy building having a multi-story elongated framework having a system of floor-supporting longitudinal and transverse beams at each floor level carried on vertical columns with one row of columns along each side of the structure and a third row inside the structure dividing the floors into two unobstructed parallel corridors, one at each side of the third row, the corridors being open at one end across substantially the full width of the corridors and having an access area at the other end, one of the corridors being wider than the other, the method wherein occupancy units are then provided on at least some of the floors which comprises:

a. prefabricating the occupancy units in two complementary longitudinal sections, one section having an elongate peripheral side wall designed to constitute an exterior wall of the building and the other section having an elongated peripheral side wall designed to provide an internal boundary wall of the occupancy unit, the sections being also fabricated with ceilings and floors coextensive therewith and with internal partitions,

b. raising said sections singly to the open end of the corridors in which they are to be located,

c. moving the sections so raised into and along the corridors longitudinally in sequence toward the access end of the corridors in abutting end-to-end re lation with the sections having exterior walls facing outwardly and the sections having interior walls facing in the direction of said third row of columns with matching sections in confronting relation to each other and then moving the sections transversely to the length of the corridor to provide a ceiling panels are placed in said main hallway with the ceiling panels being supported on the confronting occupancy units. 

1. In a building structure comprising a multi-story framework having a system of longitudinally extending beams and cross-beams at each floor level supported on two spaced parallel rows of vertical exterior columns, one at each side of the building and a single row of interior columns parallel with the rows of exterior columns and spaced closer to one outside row of columns at one side of the building than the other forming at each side of the row of interior columns an unobstructed elongated corridor, the two corridors being parallel with one wider and one being narrower by reason of the row of interior columns being closer to the row of outer columns on one side of the structure than it is to the other, the structure having an access area at one end at the level of each floor and each corridor at the other end being open the full width of the corridor, the invention comprising: a. a row of composite occupancy units in each corridor in abutting end-to-end relation, the units in one corridor being parallel with those in the other corridor on the same floor, b. each composite occupancy unit being comprised of two separate complementary prefabricated sections that extend longitudinally of the corridor in which they are positioned in confronting relation, each of which is narrower in a direction transversely of the length of the corridor than the width of the corridor into which it is positioned, c. one section of each unit having a longitudinal peripheral wall that faces toward the columns of an exterior roW of columns and forms a portion of the exterior side wall of the building and the complementary section having a longitudinal peripheral wall facing toward the interior row of columns, the units in the narrower corridor being against said row of interior columns and those in the wider corridor being spaced from the interior row of columns, with the two rows of occupancy units so arranged providing a main hall between them extending from the access area to the ends of the corridors remote from the access unit, the arrangement being such that each composite occupancy unit may be completed in situ by separately introducing its two prefabricated sections into the open end of the corridor and being separately moved along the corridor and finally brought to confronting permanent position in the row, whereby each section may be of a length and width to be hauled by truck over a highway from a place of fabrication, and the width of the unit transversely of the corridor will at least be as great as the combined width of the two sections.
 2. The invention defined in claim 1 in which each section of a confronting pair comprising an occupancy unit has a floor and a ceiling snd each is of a width less than half the minimum width of the narrower corridor and they are positioned in their corridor in confronting spaced relation, and wherein there is a separate ceiling panel supported by the two sections over the space separating them and there is a floor panel in the space between the floors of the confronting sections flush with the floors of the confronting sections.
 3. The invention defined in claim 2 in which each occupancy is of the same width as every other such unit and this width is the full width of the narrower corridor.
 4. The invention defined in claim 2 in which some occupancy units are longer than others but the combined lengths of all occupancy units is equal to the length of the corridor from the access area to the open end of the corridor.
 5. The invention defined in claim 1 in which each section of a confronting pair of occupancy units has a floor and a ceiling and each is of a width less than half the minimum width of the narrower corridor and they are positioned in their corridor in confronting spaced relation, and wherein there is a separate ceiling panel supported by the two sections over the space separating them and there is a floor panel in the space between the floors of the confronting sections flush with the floors of the confronting sections, the occupancy units being of a height such that there is a clearance between the tops of the units and the system of beams and cross beams for supporting the floor above.
 6. The invention defined in claim 5 in which there are floor panels in the main hall between the occupancy units in the two corridors and there are ceiling panels over the main hall supported by the confronting occupancy units at each side of the said main hall, the last-named ceiling panels being also at a level below the system of beams and cross beams for the floor above.
 7. In the construction a multi-story multi-occupancy building having a multi-story elongated framework having a system of floor-supporting longitudinal and transverse beams at each floor level carried on vertical columns with one row of columns along each side of the structure and a third row inside the structure dividing the floors into two unobstructed parallel corridors, one at each side of the third row, the corridors being open at one end across substantially the full width of the corridors and having an access area at the other end, one of the corridors being wider than the other, the method wherein occupancy units are then provided on at least some of the floors which comprises: a. prefabricating the occupancy units in two complementary longitudinal sections, one section having an elongate peripheral side wall designed to constitute an exterior wall of the building and the other section having an elongated peripheral side wall designed to provide an internaL boundary wall of the occupancy unit, the sections being also fabricated with ceilings and floors coextensive therewith and with internal partitions, b. raising said sections singly to the open end of the corridors in which they are to be located, c. moving the sections so raised into and along the corridors longitudinally in sequence toward the access end of the corridors in abutting end-to-end relation with the sections having exterior walls facing outwardly and the sections having interior walls facing in the direction of said third row of columns with matching sections in confronting relation to each other and then moving the sections transversely to the length of the corridor to provide a longitudinal separation between each two complementary sections, d. placing ceiling and floor panels between each pair of complementary sections so that each occupancy unit is then wider than the combined width of the two complementary sections, and in this manner filling each of the two corridors with a row of abutting occupancy units, e. the occupancy units in the wider of said corridors being spaced from those in the narrower of said corridors to provide a main hallway the full length of said wider corridor.
 8. The method defined in claim 7 wherein floor and ceiling panels are placed in said main hallway with the ceiling panels being supported on the confronting occupancy units. 